Word Origin & History

1650s (n.) "member of the lowest class;" 1660s (adj.) "of the lowest class of people;" with -ian + Latin proletarius "citizen of the lowest class" (as an adjective, "relating to offspring"), in ancient Rome, propertyless people, exempted from taxes and military service, who served the state only by having children; from proles "offspring, progeny" (see prolific).

Example Sentences for proletarian

These are the only ones to whom the term "proletarian" could with any propriety be applied.

He mows down a proletarian and a Marshall Field with the same scythe.

The proletarian beat the table like a drum in praise of Paris.

A strike is the only way of impressing the proletarian psychology.

You cannot possibly comprehend the proletarian civilization of the future.

They do not see the proletarian papers and would be repelled by them if they did.

The proletarian Socialists do not believe what they say, and therefore they are so violent in saying it.

"Proletarian rabble, the," pre-convention conference of , 137-139.

His chosen field in society is the portrayal of the middle-class and proletarian.